On This Page

Filter

These are the filters currently being used to limit the search results. Click on the
icon to remove the filter.

min answer › question first answered

2019-05-21T14:42:59.817Z

max answer › date of answer

2019-05-21

Sort by

This list shows the properties that you can sort by. Click on to sort in ascending order and to sort in descending order. The properties that you're currently sorting by are
shown at the top of the list. Click on to remove a sort and or to reverse the current sort order. Click on the icon to remove all the sorting. Note that sorting can significantly slow down the
loading of the page.

View

Choose what information you want to view about each item. There are some pre-defined
views, but starred properties are always present no matter what the view. You can
star properties by clicking on the icon. The currently starred icons have a icon; clicking on it will unstar the property.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effects of using
glyphosate on wildlife, including birds and insects; and what research, if any, they
are undertaking into the impact of using glyphosate.

<p>The effects of glyphosate on wildlife have been carefully assessed as part of the
regulatory process for pesticides. The effects of glyphosate itself were considered
by the EU when deciding whether to approve the substance. UK regulatory scientists
participated in the assessment made by the European Food Safety Authority and agreed
with its conclusions. The Government therefore supported the decision at the end of
2017 to continue the approval of glyphosate.</p><p> </p><p>All products containing
glyphosate are individually authorised and the Government will not authorise products
for which the scientific assessment suggests that there may be unacceptable effects
on wildlife.</p><p> </p><p>Decisions on glyphosate are based on regulatory studies
which companies are required to commission to support their applications. Relevant
published data is also considered. The Government is not carrying out its own research
on the environmental impact of glyphosate use because a comprehensive evidence base
is already available.</p>

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government
of Israel about the extension of Israeli laws, jurisdiction and administration to
the Golan Heights; what were the outcomes of any such discussions; and what assessment
they have made of whether that extension prejudices the possibility of peace in Syria.

<p>We have been clear to our Israeli counterparts that the UK views the Golan Heights
as territory occupied by Israel. Annexation of territory by force is prohibited under
international law, including the UN Charter. The UK did not recognise Israel's annexation
in 1981 and we have no plans to change our position. On 26 March we reiterated our
firm position on this matter at a meeting of the UN Security Council.</p>

<p>The Home Office have not made any estimation of the number of asylum seeking children
unable to apply for UK citizenship due to the cost of the application fee.</p><p>In
line with international law, the UK does not charge for asylum applications. Those
granted refugee status can then apply for indefinite leave to remain at the end of
their limited leave period. This application is also free of charge.</p><p>Applying
for British nationality is not mandatory and many individuals who have indefinite
leave to remain (ILR) status choose not to apply. This is because, in addition to
lawful permanent residence in the UK, a person with ILR enjoys the benefits of full
access to the UK labour market, state education and healthcare and the ability to
sponsor family members’ residence in the UK. Fees for citizenship applications apply
equally to all applicants.</p>

To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the quantity of glyphosate
that has been used by each local authority in England and the cost to each of such
use in the last five years for which figures are available.

<p>This data is not collected. A regular survey of the amenity use of pesticides is
conducted as part of the long-standing system of Pesticide Usage Surveys carried out
by Fera Science Ltd. The most recent survey gives data and information on usage for
2016 for those local authorities who submitted data. It does not, however, include
cost data and does not give figures for individual local authorities.</p>

<p>Those who use, or cause or permit others to apply, glyphosate or other plant protection
products are subject to a number of legal requirements. This includes a requirement
to minimise the use of pesticides along roads and in areas used by the general public.
The requirements and approaches to good practice are set out in the Code of Practice
for Using Plant Protection Products and an accompanying guidance note. Specific requirements
and advice for using a particular product are set out on the label.</p>

To ask Her Majesty's Government what information they hold on the number of, and circumstances
behind, arson attacks on churches in (1) the UK, and (2) overseas, in the last two
years; how many prosecutions there have been for such attacks in the UK; and what assessment
they have made of the motives of those responsible.

<table><tbody><tr><td><p>We have consulted Home Office, who do not hold detailed information
for all police forces around the circumstances and location of offences. Detailed
information on the location of arson offences, such as churches, may be held on court
record but to be able to identify these cases, as they are not held centrally, we
would have to access individual court records which would be of disproportionate cost.
Matters relating to Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for those respective
devolved administrations.</p></td></tr></tbody></table>

<p>The effects of glyphosate on wildlife have been carefully assessed as part of the
regulatory process for pesticides. The effects of glyphosate itself were considered
by the EU when deciding whether to approve the substance. UK regulatory scientists
participated in the assessment made by the European Food Safety Authority and agreed
with its conclusions. The Government therefore supported the decision at the end of
2017 to continue the approval of glyphosate.</p><p> </p><p>All products containing
glyphosate are individually authorised and the Government will not authorise products
for which the scientific assessment suggests that there may be unacceptable effects
on wildlife.</p><p> </p><p>Decisions on glyphosate are based on regulatory studies
which companies are required to commission to support their applications. Relevant
published data is also considered. The Government is not carrying out its own research
on the environmental impact of glyphosate use because a comprehensive evidence base
is already available.</p>

To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they are making to the government
of Israel about the number of Palestinian properties being demolished, in particular
those that have been demolished without warning or explanation.

<p>We have repeatedly made representations to the Government of Israel to end the
demolition of Palestinian properties. Demolitions and evictions of Palestinians from
their homes cause unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians, call into question
Israel's commitment to a viable two-state solution, and, in all but the most exceptional
of cases, are contrary to International Humanitarian Law.</p>

To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government
of Turkey in relation to the Kurdish hunger strikers who are campaigning for the end
of the solitary confinement in which the Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan is being held
on the island of Imrali in contravention of European and international law.

<p>​The British Government has raised Mr Öcalan’s case with the Turkish authorities
a number of times. The Minister for Europe and the Americas raised the issue most
recently with the Turkish Ambassador on 13 May. While strongly condemning the ongoing
violence perpetrated by the PKK, a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK, we
have encouraged the Turkish authorities to implement the recommendations made by the
Committee for the Prevention of Torture following their visit to Imrali prison. In
this regard, I welcome the fact that Mr Öcalan was granted access to two lawyers on
2 May. I also note the comment made by Mr Öcalan, via his lawyers, that individuals
should not pursue these hunger strikes to the point of serious illness or death.</p>

<p>Protecting pollinators is a priority for this Government. The Government supports
two major events to raise awareness of the importance of bees and other pollinators
and encourage people to take action.</p><p> </p><p>Firstly, our ‘Bees’ Needs’ campaign,
which we run with a number of partners. In July 2018, with the generous support of
our hosts, Shaftesbury PLC, we put on a week long event in Carnaby Street (renamed
‘Carnabee’ Street for the week) to raise awareness of the steps we can all take to
protect pollinators. With immense gratitude to our hosts Shaftesbury PLC, this event
will be repeated this year from 8 to 14 July.</p><p> </p><p>Defra also organises,
in partnership with the Green Flag Awards, an annual Bees’ Needs Champions Awards
to recognise and celebrate examples of exemplary initiatives undertaken by schools,
local authorities, universities, community groups and bee farmers to support pollinators.</p><p>
</p><p>The Government is taking a range of other steps to protect pollinator species.
In 2014 we published a ten year National Pollinator Strategy, setting out how the
Government, conservation groups, farmers, beekeepers and researchers can work together
to improve the status of the 1,500 or so pollinating insect species in England.</p><p>
</p><p>We are also creating habitat for pollinators. In 2015, we introduced new and
simple wildlife ‘packages’ within Countryside Stewardship to make it easier for farmers
to provide flower rich margins or pollen and nectar plots on fields to support wild
pollinators.</p><p> </p><p>The Government also recently announced £60,000 to develop
pollinator habitat mapping and is supporting largescale projects to bring landowners
and conservationists together to provide habitat in Devon and Hampshire. Natural England,
our statutory nature conservation adviser, continues to work with a range of landowning
and NGO partners to support the recovery of threatened species such as the barberry
carpet moth, shorthaired bumblebee and chequered skipper butterfly.</p><p> </p><p>We
are supporting monitoring work. In collaboration with research institutes and volunteer
organisations, we have established a pollinator monitoring and research partnership
to gather further data and improve our understanding of the status of pollinators
and pollination services in the UK.</p><p> </p><p>We are taking steps to reduce pressures
on pollinators. We have implemented science led restrictions on neonicotinoids based
on scientific evidence that they carry risks to pollinators. We continue to tackle
threats from invasive species, such as the Asian hornet, and protect honey bees from
pests and diseases through the National Bee Unit’s nationwide team of bee inspectors.</p><p>
</p><p>We are safeguarding honey bee health. Collaboration has been a central tenet
of the work by the Government and Bee Inspectors to protect honey bee health. Along
with beekeeping associations, the Government has carried out a decade of work under
the Healthy Bees Plan, drafted in 2009 as a means of sustaining our honey bee population.
We will be reviewing this work this year and using valuable lessons from this to develop
our future strategy.</p>